Watch out, Asheville! The best breweries in Charlotte are making a strong push for the Queen City to steal the coveted designation of “Beer City, America” currently held by its NC mountain rival. More than 50 breweries in Charlotte keep the liquid gold flowing, with plenty of options in Uptown, downtown, and the surrounding neighborhoods of Charlotte.
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From the boundary-pushing experimentation at Wooden Robot Brewery, where bold flavors and unconventional ingredients harmonize, to the enchanting barrel-aged and sour creations that push the boundaries of flavor exploration at Divine Barrel Brewing, there's a rich tapestry of beer excellence that makes Charlotte a true haven for beer lovers.
Linger a while longer to enjoy the rooftop views at Devil's Logic Brewing.
Devil's Logic Brewing
1426 E. 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Self-described as “clean and crushable,” there are more than 22 taps ripe for the pouring at Devil's Logic Brewing. Two outdoor patios grant clear vistas of uptown Charlotte, providing an exceptional spot for a lunch break while enjoying the best breweries in Charlotte.
If you're wanting to put the “clean and crushable” moniker to the test, try the Lake Loop Lager, brewed with flaked rice swimming in flavors of passion fruit, Sauvignon Blanc, and citrus. You might be surprised that the Cliffs of Moher Irish stout has such a low ABV — its aromas of roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate are deliciously deceptive.
Devil's Logic is also a great place to go if you're hoping to try a few Charlotte and regional breweries from one location. The space regularly collaborates with brewers like Eurisko from Asheville's South Slope and Lost Worlds Brewing of Cornelius, NC.
Soak up the sun and delicious beer at Wooden Robot Brewery.
Wooden Robot Brewery
1440 S Tryon St Unit 110, Charlotte, NC 28203 (South End)
416 E 36th St Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28205 (NoDa)
Known for its innovative and experimental beers featuring unique ingredients, Wooden Robot maintains two of the best breweries in Charlotte: one in NoDa and the other in South End. If you're looking for traditional Belgian farmhouse-inspired concoctions, you'll want to see what this brewery is all about.
The brewing crew uses 100% local malt and fresh herbs, fruit, and produce when creating all of their blends. In the South End location, fun offerings include the Botbier tart farmhouse ale and the Junk in the Frunk Munich dunkel lager. The food menu also makes excellent use of local provisions, and the hush puppies served with strawberry butter are a perfect pairing with any flight.
The “Chamber” is the name of Wooden Robot's new wood-aging facility in Noda. The large rooftop biergarten is dog-friendly and a weekly roster of food trucks make the space an appealing option for laying low and enjoying a leisurely afternoon.
Who doesn't love some fun and funky beer can art?!
Birdsong Brewing Co.
1016 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Birdsong offers an ideal space to gather with friends while enjoying the local vibes of Charlotte's smaller neighborhoods. In addition to brewing a diverse selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and Belgian-style ales, Birdsong is heavily invested in supporting local nonprofits in the areas of sustainability, the arts, and conservation.
The jalapeno pale ale “chili beer” is a year-round stunner, and word is you can find the jalapeno beer cheese recipe for free! Most of Birdsong's releases are seasonal, like the Rewind Lime, a crisp and punchy can perfect for relaxing on the beach and grilling on the patio.
Finally, be sure to check out what's available in Birdsong's limited release selections. As if the can art wasn't cool enough (they win the award for best-designed cans out of all the breweries in Charlotte), we love the creative names ranging from the Rain-Fruited Sour with blueberries and strawberries to the Turtles on Pterodactyls barrel-aged stout.
Divine Barrel is a pup paradise!
Divine Barrel Brewing
3701 N Davidson St Suite 203, Charlotte, NC 28205
Seekers of sour, fruited, and fermented beers, look no further! You'll find the offerings at this next Charlotte brewery simply divine. The brewing team gets a real kick out of harboring wild cultures for their sour beer experiments brewed from oak barrels.
Divine Barrel is one of the breweries in Charlotte where you'll want to try everything on the tap list — best for you and whomever you're with to order flights so everyone can find their favorite selection! We would recommend the Into Mischief mint julep amber ale, Jolted Wookie coffee cold IPA, and Ice Cream Paint Job sour-fruited Berliner Weisse, concocted from a blend of raspberries, blueberries, and sweet cherries.
If you're in town for a while, check out Divine Barrel's calendar of weekly free events, including game night, trivia night, neighborhood markets, and running groups. The brewing team frequently collaborates with local restaurants to put on fun foodie events, as well.
Lenny Boy's beers are just as beautiful as the brewery's aesthetic!
Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
3000 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217
What sets Lenny Boy Brewing Co. apart from other breweries in Charlotte is its commitment to producing organic, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly beverages. They specialize in crafting unique kombucha, wild ales, and gluten-free beers, offering an inclusive experience for individuals with dietary restrictions or specific preferences.
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. combines traditional brewing techniques with an emphasis on sustainability and holistic practices, sourcing high-quality ingredients to create a diverse and constantly evolving lineup of beverages. Their taproom provides a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where visitors can explore their offerings, including a rotating selection of creative and experimental brews.
What are some of the best brews to try at Lenny Boy? The Bockstreet Boys — a limited release — is a compelling 8.3% ABV doppelbock rested with whole bean coffee, while the Spaghetti Handshake Italian pilsner is too easy to drink. Definitely make sure to sample some non-alcoholic kombucha or several of the sour options, include the Parfait for the Course dessert-style sour ale packing punches of vanilla soft-serve ice cream, oats, and fruit.
What do you think the story is behind this Charlotte brewery's name?
Armored Cow Brewing Co.
8821 JW Clay Blvd #1, Charlotte, NC 28262
Did somebody say food truck Friday? Armored Cow Brewing is one of the best breweries in Charlotte for enjoying a family-friendly (and dog-friendly!) environment. The open space boasts plenty of seating, despite the fact that they consider themselves a microbrewery.
Gluten-free patrons will crack a big smile when they see a dazzling roster of gluten-free beers whipped up in a celiac-friendly separate brewing facility. The Ginger Avenger hard ginger beer achieves a perfect blend of spicy and sweet.
True beer connoisseurs will likely want to sample the 14% ABV Barley Quinn American barleywine aged in bourbon barrels for an entire year — plan to stay and enjoy yourself for a while after consuming this taplist star!
Try beers from all over the country at 4001 Yancey.
Brewers at 4001 Yancey
4001-A Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Easily one of the top-reviewed breweries in Charlotte, the Brewers at 4001 Yancey even have their own rewards program where patrons can earn beer points for all beverages, food, and retail merchandise purchased.
4001 Yancey stands out from the other excellent breweries on this list because it serves as a headquarters for Artisanal Brewing Ventures, which owns several other major successful breweries. In addition to the brewers under their umbrella — like Victory Brewing of Pennsylvania and Southern Tier Brewing Company of New York — 4001 Yancey also pours a range of Charlotte-based brews.
Sounds like a lot of beer, right? Get this: 4001 Yancey makes use of more than 10,000 barrels in their facility each year! Whether you're looking for tea-flavored cider, a hazelnut imperial stout, or a pineapple resin IPA, you'll find it at Brewers at 4001 Yancey.
Looking for more fun things to do in Charlotte NC? Check out our Charlotte vacation guide for some of the best family-friendly adventures, places to stay, and restaurants in the Queen City.
